C1idiomworkIELTS-friendly
a square peg in a round hole
USUK
a person who does not suit the job or place they are in
Used about people and their roles. Compare 'like a fish out of water', which is about feeling uncomfortable in a new situation.
In context
As a creative person, Tuan felt like a square peg in a round hole at the accounting firm.
Putting a shy engineer in sales is like putting a square peg in a round hole.
More idioms about work
- a baptism of firea very difficult first experience of a new job or activity
- a cushy joba job that is easy and pleasant but still pays well
- a dead-end joba job with no chance of promotion or of learning anything new
- a jack of all tradesa person who can do many different kinds of work fairly well
- a labour of lovehard work that you do because you enjoy it or care about it, not for money